The Higdon Family Association, Inc.

Constitution of The Higdon Family Association

ARTICLE I: NAME

The name of this organization shall be The Higdon Family Association.

ARTICLE II: PURPOSE

The purpose of The Higdon Family Association shall be to unite those persons with an interest in the history and genealogy of The Higdon Family; to encourage Higdons and Higdon descendents to develop an interest in and educate themselves in their family heritage; to assemble and publish historical and genealogical information about the Higdon Family; to build a source of genealogical, historical, and educational material for use by the members of this Association in their furtherance of the history and genealogy of The Higdon Family. It shall be a non-profit association.

ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP

Regular Membership is open to any person over the age of eighteen (18) years, who is interested in the purpose of the organization. All regular members shall have voting privileges, shall be eligible to hold office, and may exercise such other privileges as may be provided by the Association.

ARTICLE IV: OFFICERS

1. The officers of the Association shall be a President, First Vice-President, Second Vice-President, Third Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer. The manner in which the officers shall be elected and the term of each office shall be provided in the Bylaws. The office of Secretary and the office of Treasurer may be combined, with one individual serving in both capacities.

2. It shall be the duty of the President to preside at the meetings of the Association, to appoint committees with the approval of the Board of Directors, and to promote the best interest of the Association, to serve as Chairman of the Board of Directors.

3. The First Vice -President shall plan the annual meeting program with the approval of the Board of Directors, shall serve as a member of the Board of Directors, and shall perform such other duties as shall be assigned by the President. In the absence of the President, the First Vice-President shall preside at meetings of the Association and at Board of Directors meetings.

4. The Second Vice-President and the Third Vice-President shall serve as members of the Board of Directors and shall perform such other duties as the President shall assign.

5. The Secretary shall keep the minutes of all meetings and shall be responsible for all official correspondence of the Association including the circulation of a newsletter to the membership.

6. The Treasurer shall have charge of receiving and disbursing of funds, shall prepare the accounts for audit, and have general charge of the finances of the Association. The Treasurer shall be bonded.

7. The officers shall take office at an announced general business meeting during the Annual meeting. Should an emergency arise which forces temporary suspension of the activities of the Association, the officers shall continue until their successors shall be elected.

ARTICLE V: BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The Board of Directors shall be composed of the President, First Vice-President, Second Vice-President, Third Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, four at large regular members of the Association, and the Immediate Past President, making a total number of eleven (11) persons. If the office of the Secretary and the office of Treasurer is held by one individual, the total number will be ten (10) persons. The manner in which the four at-large members of the Board of Directors are elected and the term of office shall be provided by the Bylaws.

ARTICLE VI: NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS

1. Not later than three months prior to the time of the Annual meeting of the Association, the Board of Directors shall nominate two or more candidates for each elective office to be filled in the next election, to be held at an announced business meeting during the Annual meeting. Nominations shall be mailed to all members not later than thirty days prior to the Annual meeting. There shall be an opportunity during the regular business meeting for additional nominations from the floor as well as write-in nominations.

2. In the case of the resignation or the inability of the President to carry on the duties of his office, the First Vice-President shall, with approval of the Board of Directors, assume the duties of the President. It shall then become the duty of the Board of Directors to decide, in accordance with the amount of time remaining before the next general election, to either nominate two candidates for the office of President and put these to a vote of the regular membership, or wait until the next regularly scheduled election to nominate candidates to fill the vacancy of President. The First Vice President shall continue to assume the duties of the President until the office is filled by election.

ARTICLE VII: MEETINGS

An annual meeting of the Association shall be held at a time and place to be selected by the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE VIII: FEES

It shall be within the province of the Board of Directors to set dues, subject to ratification of the regular membership, and to establish the term of regular membership.

ARTICLE IX: BYLAWS

The Board of Directors shall establish and circulate to the regular membership the By Laws of the Association and all amendments thereto.

ARTICLE X: AMENDMENTS

This Constitution and Bylaws may be amended by a majority vote of the regular members of the Association present at any annual meeting, after due notice to the regular membership of the intention to amend the Constitution or By Laws.